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5 EASY HIGH PROTEIN SNACKS
Getting enough protein in your diet can be tough. The most helpful advice we have is to make sure that each meal and snack you eat has an identifiable protein source included in it. Every recipe we create has the goal of making it easier for you to hit your protein and today we’re including some snack ideas that can help you hit that protein target.
MACRO-FRIENDLY RECIPE: CAJUN JAMBALAYA
Need a little spice in your life and an easy meal to add to your meal prep for next week? Look no further! This low-calorie cajun jambalaya recipe has you covered. With a generous portion size and easy to fit macros, you’ll want to eat it all week long!
OUR FAVORITE MACRO-FRIENDLY RECIPE: BUFFALO CHICKEN BAKE
This recipe is one of our most popular, so we’re sharing it again in case you missed it the first time around. Whether you’re tracking macros or not, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser for it’s awesome flavor and generous portion size. It’s easy to throw together and is a healthy meal for the whole family.
MACRO-FRIENDLY RECIPE: CREAMY CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP
Even though you may be on your way to tackling your goals and your New Year’s resolutions of improving your eating habits, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice flavor - and it certainly doesn’t mean that you have to give up hearty meals altogether. This recipe is one of our favorites! It’s an easy dump-into-the-crockpot, set it and forget it kind of meals, and it’s perfect for colder weather. We hope you enjoy it!
MACRO-FRIENDLY RECIPE: SWEET POTATO TURKEY CHILI
My favorite part about fall weather is all the soup! Soup dinners are easy for a lazy chef like me and are my favorite way to prep food that will last throughout the week. This chunky sweet potato turkey chili is my favorite, because each serving is a generous size and packs in tons of lean protein and vegetables.
MACRO-FRIENDLY ONE-PAN RECIPE: SWEET HARVEST HASH FOR WEEKLY MEAL PREP
How do you make an easy sheet-pan meal even better? You make it macro-friendly with seasonal squash and flavorful protein. Enjoy this simple sheet pan meal and learn how to switch up the ingredients to fit your specific nutrition goals.
RECIPE: JUMBO BAKED OATMEAL MUFFINS
Instead of a casserole bake, you can use the same Baked Oatmeal recipe to make baked oatmeal muffins instead. The muffins are convenient because they’re already portioned for you and make for an easy grab and go meal or snack for the whole family.
THE PERFECT FALL RECIPE: BAKED OATMEAL
This baked oatmeal is such a hearty and delicious way to start the day, especially with the crisp and cool mornings that are ahead. Unlike regular oatmeal, which has a porridge-like consistency, baked oatmeal is more like that of bread-pudding. It’s really easy to customize and it’s a great make-ahead recipe to add to your weekly rotation.
MACRO-FRIENDLY RECIPE: RISONI/ORZO SUMMER SALAD
This plant-based dish is about as easy as it gets when it comes to throwing together a simple side. Enjoy this Risoni Summer Salad as a side to your bbq dinner, or double the portion and enjoy it with some shrimp or chicken for a full, high-volume meal.
MACRO-FRIENDLY SMOOTHIE BOWL RECIPES
Are smoothie bowls good for you? They seem “healthy”, but are they a good food to add to your day or a fake-healthy fad? It depends! This week, we’re sharing some refreshing smoothie bowl recipes, and, more importantly, explaining why smoothie bowls are neither good nor bad, and may be helpful in supporting you and your goals.
3 MACRO-FRIENDLY THANKSGIVING SIDE DISHES
Three super easy side dishes for you to bring along to any family or holiday dinner this season. They are lower-calorie options to traditional side dishes you may normally have at Thanksgiving dinner and are a great swap if you’re not crazy about the traditional casseroles and calorie-dense sides.
MACRO-FRIENDLY BREAKFAST RECIPES
Your first meal sets the tone for your day. Rather than rushing out the door and having an unplanned donut at the office because you’re starving and don’t have a plan, invest an hour of your weekend to prepare these easy, macro-friendly recipes for the week!
DINNER PARTY RECIPE: MUSTARD MAPLE SALMON
This mustard maple salmon sheet pan meal is pretty easy, even if you’re not a pro in the kitchen. Try it out next time you’re hosting - it’s a yummy, stress-free dinner for 4 that you can make in just about an hour! And best part? It still fits in with your nutrition goals!
MACRO-FRIENDLY SMOOTHIE RECIPES
A smoothie: a good food to add to your day or a fake-healthy fad? It depends! This week we’re sharing some favorite smoothie recipes and, more importantly, explaining why smoothies are neither good nor bad and may be helpful in supporting you and your goals.
SOL FOOD CARNITAS
This macro-friendly carnitas recipe is a simple spin off of a traditional family recipe taken from the Sol Food Cookbook. These carnitas are easy to prepare and can be used in countless dishes throughout the week. Enjoy!
RECIPE: EASY SUMMER SALAD + PICKLED ONIONS
The weather is finally starting to warm up and we are ready for light and refreshing meals, which is why we’re loving this Summer Salad right now. Salads often get a bad rap. They’re seen as healthy (but sad) alternatives to better, tastier dishes that we could order out or make at home. But over here at KLN, we are Team Salad all the way.
MACRO-FRIENDLY VALENTINE’S DINNER FOR TWO
Any holiday is a good excuse for us to loosen up on tracking and say I’ll get back to it tomorrow. BUT, with a little bit of planning and pre-tracking, you can have a full day of eating AND a yummy home-cooked meal with your Valentine without compromising your nutrition goals.
If you’re staying in this Valentine’s and cooking for you and your honey, try this easy, 3-course macro-friendly meal for two!
MACRO-FRIENDLY HOLIDAY RECIPES
Last month we shared some macro-friendly dishes to add to your Thanksgiving meal, so this month we’re sharing a few easy ideas that you can bring along to a holiday party or family dinner!
SOBER CURIOUS FOR THE HOLIDAYS: HOW ALCOHOL IMPACTS OUR MACROS, BODY COMPOSITION, AND OVERALL PROGRESS
The holiday season often conjures images of festive gatherings, joyous celebrations, and, inevitably, alcohol. For many, these moments include a glass of wine, a cocktail, or a beer to toast the occasion. However, an increasing number of people are becoming "sober curious," re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol. This movement isn't about outright abstinence but about mindfulness and understanding how alcohol impacts our bodies, especially concerning health and fitness goals. Let's explore how alcohol affects our health, particularly in the realms of fat loss, sleep, and overall wellness.
MAKING MACRO-TRACKING BUDGET FRIENDLY
With grocery prices rising, getting high-quality food (especially protein!) can be challenging. In this blog post, I’m breaking down some great budget-friendly grocery options by macronutrients that is perfect for those tracking macros and looking to eat well without breaking the bank.
HAVING A COACH THROUGH “MAINTENANCE MODE”: INSURANCE FOR LONG TERM NUTRITIONAL SUCCESS
A maintenance phase is arguably the most important season of our nutrition since it’s where we can best focus on the habits that help us find harmony with our physical, mental, emotional, and social health. Without the prioritization of changing our bodies, the other aspects of our lives that we value can better be at the forefront. However, that doesn’t mean that body composition can’t remain in the periphery. The foundational habits that we develop before or alongside a focused fat loss phase, with the goal of long-term physical change, continuously support small aesthetic changes over time.
Q&A: HORMONAL HEALTH, SUPPLEMENT SAFETY, AND SET POINT WEIGHT THEORY
The large majority of individuals probably don’t need to worry about their hormonal health. If you are struggling with your hormonal health, that is absolutely an indicator to see an endocrinologist - not a trainer, nutritionist, or wellness influencer! What supports our hormonal health most are the basics that support our overall health: exercising sensibly, giving ourselves time to recover, managing stress levels, eating a balanced and high quality diet and not chronically dieting. Hormonal health is incredibly important, so this is not about minimizing that importants; rather, it’s a reminder that the “boring stuff” is often what we overlook when it should be our first priority.
MACRO FRIENDLY DESSERT: SALTED CARAMEL APPLE YOGURT BARK
Tracking your macros doesn’t have to be restrictive and in fact, we pride ourselves on coaching our clients on ways to be more flexible with their food choices. We feel it’s important to include foods that you love and that means dessert and sweet treats! This peanut butter salted caramel apple yogurt bark is the perfect sweet treat for this season (or any season, really!) It’s super easy to make and for 22g of protein per serving, it can actually play a role in helping you nail your protein goals!
EMBRACE FLEXIBILITY AND ENJOY SOME PIZZA: TIPS FOR MACRO-FRIENDLY PIZZA NIGHT
When I start working with a client, they typically believe that they can't enjoy pizza AND eat “healthy” at the same time. Their experience tells them that pizza is a “bad” food, it’s a cheat meal, and it will definitely make them gain body fat. But often, that’s a fear of food and diet culture talking. By embracing a flexible approach to eating and incorporating some macro-friendly strategies, pizza can be part of a balanced approach to nutrition. Grab a slice, and let’s dig in!
TRACKING MACROS VS. COUNTING CALORIES: WHICH APPROACH SHOULD YOU TAKE WHEN WORKING TOWARDS YOUR FAT LOSS, PERFORMANCE, AND HEALTH GOALS?
At its core, counting calories is about ensuring you consume a specific number of calories each day. It's a straightforward approach focusing solely on energy intake versus energy expenditure. While this can be effective for weight management, it doesn't address the quality or composition of the food you're eating. Tracking macros, on the other hand, involves breaking down your calorie intake into three key nutrients: protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Each of these macronutrients plays a unique role in your body. By paying attention to the specific amounts of each, you can optimize not only your overall caloric intake but also support your body's functional needs.
CHANGE TAKES TIME: WHY WORK WITH A NUTRITION COACH FOR 6 MONTHS?
At KLN, we require a six-month commitment from our clients, and there's a good reason for it. When you first join us, we take the time to get to know YOU – your habits, history, and what makes your daily life tick. This isn't something we can rush through-- it takes TIME! Time need to see how you live, how you interact with food, and how different factors affect your eating patterns. Getting to know you as an individual - your lifestyle, your needs, and what keeps you motivated - is crucial for providing the absolute best guidance and support from your coach.
3 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR MEALS MORE FILLING: MACRO-FRIENDLY TIPS FOR SATIETY
If you’re in a calorie deficit and working towards fat loss goals, a main goal should be minimizing any feelings of restriction or hunger so you can maximize adherence to your deficit. This is why we, as coaches, take a strong stance against aggressive and unsustainable deficits. If our hunger is through the roof each day, it’s not very likely that we’ll be able to adhere to that calorie deficit for long. Luckily, there are tools that can help us minimize hunger and, luckily, those same tools also keep us well-fueled and promote our overall health as well.
EASY MEAL PREP LUNCH: TRADER JOE’S SHAWARMA CHICKEN SALAD
Using pre-made ingredients and components can really streamline your kitchen process and help you experiment with new foods and flavors without having to resort to complicated or time consuming recipes. Introducing a favorite of mine: this ridiculously easy, high protein, veggie-packed chicken salad.
7 MACRO TRACKING TIPS FROM EXPERIENCED NUTRITION COACHES
We work within a framework of tracking macros to facilitate sustainable progress and, eventually, move away from tracking completely. However, while tracking, there are some ways we can make it easier on ourselves! In this blog post, we’re sharing our favorite tracking tips as “macro coaches,” experienced trackers, and coaches who help our clients make tracking work for them.
MACRO-FRIENDLY ADULT LUNCHABLES: 30+ HIGH PROTEIN SNACK COMBINATIONS
Welcome to your go-to guide for protein-packed snacks designed to keep you energized and satisfied throughout your busy day! When working with busy clients, we like to introduce the idea of an “Adult Lunchable” as a completely valid option for a high-protein snack that helps you meet your macro targets and keeps you fed even on the busiest days. Packed with protein and convenient enough to fit into your hectic schedule, these snacks will ensure you stay fueled and focused with at least 20 grams of protein, without compromising on taste or health. Dive in to discover both smart and delicious solutions for snacking at home or on the go!